Positive Psychology

What is Positive Psychology?

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play. It is for those who want to flourish rather than merely live.

But what does that really mean?

Professor Martin Seligman did much to promote Positive Psychology in the early 2000s and reflected: "I think psychology is much larger than curing mental illness or curing diseases. I think it’s about bringing out the best in people; it’s about positive institutions; it’s about strength of character."  Positive psychology is a science of positive aspects of human life, such as happiness and well-being and Professor Seligman defined it as: " the scientific study of optimal human functioning [that] aims to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive."

Another of our heroes, the pioneering conservationist Dr Jane Goodall argues people need to be able to stay rooted in the natural environment: "We are divorced from nature in a disastrous way, seeming not to realise that if we continue living like this, we shall end up destroying ourselves. Moreover, we need to connect to nature for our spiritual health."  At Starlight Cottage we merge Positive Psychology with other important contributors to wellness - such as courses in nature therapy, mindfulness, vegetable/wild flower cultivation, and nurturing the body through healthful foods.

People often pick big things if you ask them what would make them  more joyous. Winning the lottery, finding a new relationship, getting a promotion, moving to that perfect home. These things may or may not happen – and they don’t actually cause a great increase in joy. Making joy part of your life is actually much easier than those big goals. It is a shift in thought patterns and forming new habits.

Life is a mixture of ups and downs. We can all learn to appreciate the good moments whilst finding acceptance for the bad moments. That comes with a caveat – those facing  mental health issues and since that will be 1 in 4 of us, I encourage you to read my page on mental health resources – whether for yourself or to support a friend.

All of us feel anxious at times, or sad, or weary, or stressed or feel ‘is this really all that life can offer me’? Those are the emotions that we can help with here at Starlight Cottage. In positive psychology terms, ‘normal’ psychology can help someone suffering a breakdown to go from a -8 to 0 on the scale – that is coping in the most limited sense. But what positive psychology aims at is getting someone at -3 or 0 or +2 to reach the heady heights of +7 or even higher. That is to say, experiencing significant amounts of joy day in and day out. Joy as a habit.

We encourage all readers of this website to explore positive psychology further and apply the key principles to their own lives, as well as to keep focusing on what brings them joy!